The primary goal of the high-fidelity Medical Simulation
Center (SIM Center) is to provide invaluable experiences for
students in a number of programs including the Doctor of
Nursing Practice Program. The
SIM Center also supports revenue-generating development
opportunities for regional health professionals and provide
revenue-generating human performance services to local citizens.

Simulation experiences typically involve high-fidelity
medical mannequins which can be remotely controlled to enact
planned scenarios replicating various clinical events. The
simulation experiences are video-recorded (typically with multiple
cameras) for later review by instructor and students.
Alternatively, ‘standardized patients’ (trained actors) may
interact with student clinicians and portray various illnesses
(e.g. mental health symptoms). The interactions between student
and ‘standardized patient’ are filmed for review and
feedback.

There are several important reasons for using simulation
within health care education including:

Increasing the ability of Salisbury University to offer
continuing medical education courses including standardized
courses from several professional organizations (e.g.
American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics,
and Society of Critical Care Medicine) and as may be
required by new licensure paradigms.

Providing an opportunity for Salisbury University to
offer sophisticated human performance analysis and training
to the community. The M.S. program in Applied Health
Physiology (AHPH) and undergraduate program in Exercise
Science train their graduates to work with patients/clients
in rehabilitation, fitness and/or sport performance.
Currently, the programs teach techniques of evaluating
physical fitness (e.g., VO₂ Max Testing, Lactate Threshold
Testing, Body Fat Analysis, etc.). Developing a Human
Performance Center where these measurements could easily be
measured on subjects would provide a valuable learning lab
for APHP and Exercise Science students. In addition, a Human
Performance Lab could be a revenue-generating resource that
provides valuable services for community members.

This need for simulation education is magnified by program growth (undergraduate
nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program); the high
quality of simulation facilities at our competitor institutions;
and the regional lack of access to pediatric, obstetric, and
other types of clinical experiences.